Ratings Report: “Millionaire” Tournament of Ten Sees Increase
I’m back from a little Thanksgiving vacation. I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Game shows had a lot to be thankful for with the recent ratings for the week ending November 15th. Basically everyone, but Deal or No Deal, was up. There are two notable rises. The first is Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The week ending November 15th, which had the first five games of the Tournament of Ten, rose 4% from last week to a season high 2.6. If you’re a viewer (or even a reader here) you know that thing was heavily plugged, and for a good reason. Ratings fluctuate constantly and it’s hard to tell if there’s a direct causal relationship between the ratings and the Tournament of Ten, but it’s a really positive sign. That first week had the only person answering a million dollar question in the entire tournament, Sam Murray (the eventual winner), plus some other close calls. Nothing exciting happened in the actual game those two weeks. I mean I have to think a little bit of the raise has to do with the heavy plug that someone would win the $1,000,000 top prize guaranteed. It’s going to be interesting to see if the ratings go up in the next report, when the $1,000,000 winner was crowned in that pretty tense final game. But in terms of Sweeps period ratings, I’m sure the Millionaire crew is very happy.
The other notable show is Family Feud which saw a big 8% increase to a 1.3 rating. I know I repeat it over and over but it’s always nice to see the show chugging along. It’s also very obvious that the changes to the show, which many dreaded, did nothing to the ratings. Actually, in total honesty, I have to imagine it saved them money in the long run since the initial top prize dropped from the original $20,000 to $15,000 this season (though you can win up to $30,000 in the Bullseye game, plus a car). I’m always fearful of the ratings since they aren’t the greatest, but I’m repeatedly told the show is done so cheaply that it does very well in the current rating level. If we also count that the show lost a ton of time slots this season because of new additions, 1.3 is great for them.
The worst news has to be for Deal or No Deal, which I’ve grown completely bored with, which lost a troubling 8% to hit 1.1. And to repeat another thing: the show costs a lot more to make than Family Feud and does worse, so I’ll be stunned to see it back for a third season without mammoth changes. I don’t know the possibility of it, but if it would happen to hit another season I wonder what the repercussions of going with a very minimalist UK style of show would be, instead of the expensive spectacle they currently make. The show is just really boring and stale now. Nothing exciting happens anymore. The other three syndicated game shows are doing well as always. Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader stayed at a 1.7, which is good news for them. Wheel of Fortune rose 4% to a season high 7.5 rating and Jeopardy! is up 7% to a season high 6.3.
Deal or No Deal has become almost completely unwatchable. I feel like everything has been done by now. Even watching new episodes feels like watching repeats. I can't imagine it coming back for a third season, new changes or not…
Deal or No Deal has become almost completely unwatchable. I feel like everything has been done by now. Even watching new episodes feels like watching repeats. I can't imagine it coming back for a third season, new changes or not…
That's because DoND never acknowledged its move to Conneticuitt this season, which is ashame because I was hoping for some minor tweaks to the format. I'm thinking of putting up a red flag on this one. When that number drops belpw 1.0, that's where the red flag'll be raised.
As for 5th Grader, a 1.7 is just about what I expected being that it's not only on syndication, but MyNet TV & CMT. I can see this one getting a greeb flag for 2010-2011.
Millionaire's uptick was justified thanks to the Tournament of 10. We'll see what the next report does.
That's because DoND never acknowledged its move to Conneticuitt this season, which is ashame because I was hoping for some minor tweaks to the format. I'm thinking of putting up a red flag on this one. When that number drops belpw 1.0, that's where the red flag'll be raised.
As for 5th Grader, a 1.7 is just about what I expected being that it's not only on syndication, but MyNet TV & CMT. I can see this one getting a greeb flag for 2010-2011.
Millionaire's uptick was justified thanks to the Tournament of 10. We'll see what the next report does.
Deal or No Deal did get boring quickly, but I still enjoy watching the games, waiting for that dream finish of the top 2 (let alone a grand prize winner in the daytime version). What I like about the UK version, is that it's low key and exciting. I think wins of 50,000 or more in either version are great and exciting, but if we can learn to adapt the "mini-games" from the UK during specialty weeks, that would keep it fresh.
It's also because a majority of the stations that carried DOND in the 1st season for some reason dropped it? Weird isn't it. But I think due to that, the ratings are kinda low. But I think that the show should have a 3rd season pending if the show doesn't drop between a 1.0.
It's also because a majority of the stations that carried DOND in the 1st season for some reason dropped it? Weird isn't it. But I think due to that, the ratings are kinda low. But I think that the show should have a 3rd season pending if the show doesn't drop between a 1.0.
Deal or No Deal did get boring quickly, but I still enjoy watching the games, waiting for that dream finish of the top 2 (let alone a grand prize winner in the daytime version). What I like about the UK version, is that it's low key and exciting. I think wins of 50,000 or more in either version are great and exciting, but if we can learn to adapt the "mini-games" from the UK during specialty weeks, that would keep it fresh.
Deal or No Deal did get boring quickly, but I still enjoy watching the games, waiting for that dream finish of the top 2 (let alone a grand prize winner in the daytime version). What I like about the UK version, is that it's low key and exciting. I think wins of 50,000 or more in either version are great and exciting, but if we can learn to adapt the "mini-games" from the UK during specialty weeks, that would keep it fresh.
Exactly. I guess we are having a hard time trying to find that happy medium for the show. Let's hope they act quickly so they have a shot at a third season…
That's really a huge point I have. I like Deal or No Deal, but the US version has gotten unbelievably stale. The primetime version had gimmicks coming out the ass, but the daytime version seems almost afraid of it. It's fine to mess with the format a bit, especially when it's so thin like it is. Just don't go overboard.
That's really a huge point I have. I like Deal or No Deal, but the US version has gotten unbelievably stale. The primetime version had gimmicks coming out the ass, but the daytime version seems almost afraid of it. It's fine to mess with the format a bit, especially when it's so thin like it is. Just don't go overboard.
That's because no one outside of New England gives a sh*t where DoND is taped. DoND is nose-diving because it is burned out. One game is pretty much like the next. And if the top prize is out of the game early, it's a big steamy pile of "Who cares?"!
Honestly, I think DoND's best shot at survival is to let the syndicated show die, let it incubate for a couple of years, then lease the format to state lotteries.
That's because no one outside of New England gives a sh*t where DoND is taped. DoND is nose-diving because it is burned out. One game is pretty much like the next. And if the top prize is out of the game early, it's a big steamy pile of "Who cares?"!
Honestly, I think DoND's best shot at survival is to let the syndicated show die, let it incubate for a couple of years, then lease the format to state lotteries.
Exactly. I guess we are having a hard time trying to find that happy medium for the show. Let's hope they act quickly so they have a shot at a third season…
Exactly. I guess we are having a hard time trying to find that happy medium for the show. Let's hope they act quickly so they have a shot at a third season…
Why should DonD acknowledge its move to Connecticut? What would you have done differently if you were the producers? Flashed big signs saying "WE'RE IN CONNECTICUT"? Or would you have done the minimal a la Maury/Steve Wilkos/Jerry Springer — "We're taping in Connecticut, come see our tapings!"?
To me, it's not that big of a deal outside of those who live in the Waterbury, CT area and some game show buffs
About the format: I agree about the "it's been done". I just don't find myself interested in the show now. But what can DonD do to return interest in the show? How do you bring back the people who have been turned off?
Why should DonD acknowledge its move to Connecticut? What would you have done differently if you were the producers? Flashed big signs saying "WE'RE IN CONNECTICUT"? Or would you have done the minimal a la Maury/Steve Wilkos/Jerry Springer — "We're taping in Connecticut, come see our tapings!"?
To me, it's not that big of a deal outside of those who live in the Waterbury, CT area and some game show buffs
About the format: I agree about the "it's been done". I just don't find myself interested in the show now. But what can DonD do to return interest in the show? How do you bring back the people who have been turned off?
Why should DonD acknowledge its move to Connecticut? What would you have done differently if you were the producers? Flashed big signs saying "WE'RE IN CONNECTICUT"? Or would you have done the minimal a la Maury/Steve Wilkos/Jerry Springer — "We're taping in Connecticut, come see our tapings!"?
To me, it's not that big of a deal outside of those who live in the Waterbury, CT area and some game show buffs
About the format: I agree about the "it's been done". I just don't find myself interested in the show now. But what can DonD do to return interest in the show? How do you bring back the people who have been turned off?
I think Craig is getting at is the fact that DOND moved to Connecticut beginning with its second syndicated season, and the fact that no mention was ever made of their new location.
Hence, Season 2 feels exactly like Season 1. No set changes or anything makes the audience think that perhaps the show never moved at all….or, like Crosswords, went into endless repeats.
Alex, I have to say that if the American DOND adapted the "very minimalist UK style of show" that its British counterpart has, it would improve.
Adapting the British set (very dark, mood-setting, entire audience right behind the contestant), money tree ($250,000 is still quite a bit of money), Banker style (unseen whatsoever), and returning-contestant policy would definitely help the show.
One of the contentions I have with the American syndicated format is the fact that it has a separate "backup" contestant for all 22 on-stage ones, and the fact that each week is self-contained. The British version, by comparison, has had contestants there for weeks at a time before they're called to "take the walk of wealth" — and in the meantime have grown relationships with their fellow players, host Noel Edmonds, and even the Banker himself (and, in the two episodes I've seen in full, the group is very much like a family).
And that, instead of self-contained weeks, is what the American version needs. Now, I perfectly understand that despite these changes DOND may still end up canned — but none can deny that adopting the British style would let it walk onward toward Cancellation City with its head held high.
Alex, I have to say that if the American DOND adapted the "very minimalist UK style of show" that its British counterpart has, it would improve.
Adapting the British set (very dark, mood-setting, entire audience right behind the contestant), money tree ($250,000 is still quite a bit of money), Banker style (unseen whatsoever), and returning-contestant policy would definitely help the show.
One of the contentions I have with the American syndicated format is the fact that it has a separate "backup" contestant for all 22 on-stage ones, and the fact that each week is self-contained. The British version, by comparison, has had contestants there for weeks at a time before they're called to "take the walk of wealth" — and in the meantime have grown relationships with their fellow players, host Noel Edmonds, and even the Banker himself (and, in the two episodes I've seen in full, the group is very much like a family).
And that, instead of self-contained weeks, is what the American version needs. Now, I perfectly understand that despite these changes DOND may still end up canned — but none can deny that adopting the British style would let it walk onward toward Cancellation City with its head held high.
I think, honestly, the reason for the decline in the ratings is because of several stations either dropping it or relocating it to the late night hours (which, in the latter’s case, isn’t really a bad thing since the majority of the country are now night owls). There are several ways you can turn it around. One example is to do what Millionaire did this season and have a tournament. Have 26 of the highest money winners (22 people + the 4 that would replace the previous day’s contestant) comepete for $500,000, then on Friday, the 2 highest money winners compete at the end of the show for a shot at the $500,000.
In all honesty, I can’t see Daytime Deal going the same route as Weakest Link (2 seasons and done). But it could happen. And with the TCA’s a month away and Pyramid is itching to come back, I would scramble and quick.
I admit that the promise of more contestant interaction sounds nice, but what you are suggesting is far too impractical. Nobody with a job is going to be able to take possibly several weeks off during a recession to play a game, and once word gets around to employers that their workers might not be able to do their job because of DOND, I don't know why they would let them. That means you'd have a constant stream of contestants between jobs that really need money. ANY amount of money. Will they play more conservatively after a couple months of unemployment? I think so, and frequent conservative play would hurt the show a lot more than just being formulaic.
I admit that the promise of more contestant interaction sounds nice, but what you are suggesting is far too impractical. Nobody with a job is going to be able to take possibly several weeks off during a recession to play a game, and once word gets around to employers that their workers might not be able to do their job because of DOND, I don't know why they would let them. That means you'd have a constant stream of contestants between jobs that really need money. ANY amount of money. Will they play more conservatively after a couple months of unemployment? I think so, and frequent conservative play would hurt the show a lot more than just being formulaic.
Most game shows tape a week of shows in one day, so it could happen because, depending on where you live, you’ll only have to miss 4-5 days of work.
A lot of shows now, like Family Feud and Jeopardy actually tape on two days, Saturday and Sunday.
Assuming that they tape 5 episodes a day and that each contestant has a 1/22 chance of getting selected, it won't take weeks and weeks to get to play a game. On average, you'll only need to take 4 or 5 days off. Even if somebody has a worst-case-scenario Ken Jennings-like spree of remaining unselected, that's still two weeks, tops.
Anybody know what their taping schedule is like? I haven't been able to find one online, but I'd like to confirm my odds.
Assuming that they tape 5 episodes a day and that each contestant has a 1/22 chance of getting selected, it won't take weeks and weeks to get to play a game. On average, you'll only need to take 4 or 5 days off. Even if somebody has a worst-case-scenario Ken Jennings-like spree of remaining unselected, that's still two weeks, tops.
Anybody know what their taping schedule is like? I haven't been able to find one online, but I'd like to confirm my odds.
Even Millionaire can do a whole seasn's worth in what? 2, 3, 4 months tops? The point is, better pack a lot of clothes if you're gonna be on the show cause you never know how long that'll last. Makes me wonder how many times Ken Jennings wore the same outfit during his 74-game winning streak.
Even Millionaire can do a whole seasn's worth in what? 2, 3, 4 months tops? The point is, better pack a lot of clothes if you're gonna be on the show cause you never know how long that'll last. Makes me wonder how many times Ken Jennings wore the same outfit during his 74-game winning streak.